Toilet article

ABSTRACT

This invention concerns a cleaning article, for example, a toothbrush, comprising two arms one of which carries or is adapted to carry at one end portion thereof a cleaning pad, brush or the like, the two arms being hinged together about a pivot so that the article may be stowed with the two arms folded one towards the other, those end portions of the arms which are interconnected being provided in or on facing surfaces one with a recess or groove and one with a projection, the two surfaces being biassed towards each other and the arrangement being such that, as the two arms are pivoted apart from each other, the projection rides over the facing surface of the other arm and then interfits in the said recess or groove in the in-use position of the article.

i I -1 o 1 rted States Patet 1 [111 3,769,991

McGrath Nov. 6, 1973 [54] TOILET ARTICLE 2,399,660 5/1946 Boulicault 132/84 R [76] Inventor: Patrick John McGrath, 59 A Netherha Gardens London NW3 Primary ExammerLou1s G. Mancene England Assistant Examiner-Gregory E. McNeil] Att0rneyl(urt Kelman [22] Filed: Apr. 21, 1972 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 22, 1971 Great Britain 10,710/71 [52] 11.8. C1 132/84 R [51] lint. C1 A4511 44/18 [58] Field of Search 132/84 R, 84 B, 84 C; 306/11; 15/39, 22 C, 185

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,142,356 6/1915 Nellany 132/84 B 791,668 6/1905 Apel et al.. 132/84 R 2,850,753 9/1958 Pelletier 132/84 R 611,788 10/1898 Lincoln 132/84 R 1,006,857 10/1911 Ljutica 132/84 B [57] ABSTRACT This invention concerns a cleaning article, for example, a toothbrush, comprising two arms one of which carries or is adapted to carry at one end portion thereof a cleaning pad, brush or the like, the two arms being hinged together about a pivot so that the article may be stowed with the two arms folded one towards the other, those end portions of the arms which are interconnected being provided in or on facing surfaces one with a recess or groove and one with a projection, the two surfaces being biassed towards each other and the arrangement being such that, as the two arms are pivoted apart from each other, the projection rides over the facing surface of the other arm and then interfits in the said recess or groove in the in-use position of the article.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures TOILET ARTICLE This invention concerns new or improved cleaning and toilet articles, and is more particularly concerned with new or improved toilet, cosmetic and dental articles, all hereinafter for the sake of convenience referred to as toilet articles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning article which may be stowed away in a comparatively small space.

Viewed from one aspect, the invention provides a cleaning article, for example, a toothbrush, comprising two arms one of which carries or is adapted to carry at one end portion thereof a cleaning pad, brush or the like, the two arms being hinged together about a pivot so that the article may be stowed with the two arms folded one towards the other, those end portions of the arms which are interconnected being provided in or on facing surfaces one with a recess or groove and one with a projectiom the surfaces being biassed towards each other and the arrangement beingsuch that, as the two arms are pivoted apart from each other, the projection rides over the facing surface of the other arm and then interfits in the said recess or groove in the in-use position of the article.

The invention is primarily concerned with articles for use in cleaning and maintaining generally the hygiene of teeth.

When people are temporarily away from their homes, for example when they commute daily to and from their place of work, it is customary for them to carry with them certain aritcles, for example, combs and cosmetic preparations, for use for hygiene purposes and/or in maintaining their appearance. Whilst normallythere are facilities when people are away from their homes for washing and-so on, nevertheless these are not normally such as to make it a straightforward matterfor someone to clean his teeth, more particularly because people use individual toothbrushes and tooth-pastes or other dentifrices and there are neither facilitiesfor leavingones toothbrush and tooth-paste or other den- 7 tifrice in a communal cloakroom nor means by which a toothbrush and tooth-paste or other dentifrice may be conveniently and hygienically carried by a person, for example in a pocket or handbag. Nevertheless the importance of cleaning teeth is apparent and it is often stressed, for example, that it is desirable to clean teeth after a meal in ordento avoid food being trapped between teeth and promoting the onset of dental caries.

Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a toothbrush comprising two arms, a brush being carried at the end of one of said arms and the other of the said arms serving as the handle of the brush, the two arms being hinged together about a pivot so that the toothbrush may be stowed with the two arms folded one towards the other so that they are in side-by-side relationship with respect to each other whilst, in the inuse POSltiOIL'thC two arms are coextensive with each other, that end portion of t-he first arm remote from the said brush being formed with a connecting portion having a central aperture to receive a pivot pin, one surface of the said enlargement being dished to receive a disc-like retaining member, the pivot pin being adapted to be inserted through the aperture of the enlargement and the inner end portion of the second arm being provided with similar connecting means, the end of the second arm carrying an enlargement which is centrally apertured and one surface of which is dished to receive a second disc-like retaining member, and the two enlargements being adapted to be assembled with their planar faces against each other and being secured together by means of the said discs carried one on each end of the said pivot pin, and the facing surfaces of the said enlargements carrying a projection and the other a corresponding recess or groove with which the projection of the enlargement of the first arm is adapted to inter'fit when the brush is in its in-use position.

Preferably a four part hinge is provided, two disc-like hinge members being carried by each arm.

Conveniently, the said pivot pin is in the form of a cylindrical or tubular eyelet.

Desirably the said hinge portion of the toothbrush isv made wholly of plastics material.

The said toothbrush is conveniently such that it may be stowed in a container in a relatively small space but may easily be erected to its full length or in-use position. If desired the construction may be such that, even in the in-use position, the arms of the toothbrush are at an angle to each other.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means whereby a person may easily and hygienically carry with him a toothbrush for cleaning his teeth.

Viewed from a further aspect, the invention provides a toilet article comprising a receptacle adapted to be closed by a lid to'form a container so shaped as to hold or be adapted to hold a dentifrice and a toothbrush according to the invention.

The said dentifrice may be of any suitable form but preferably, and according to a further feature of the invention, the said dentfrice may be of such composition as to be usable for cleaning the teeth without the addition of extraneous water; thus, for example, one of the compositions already available on the market may be used.

Desirably the dentifrice is in the form of a viscous paste of such viscosity that the paste does not tend to flow-when housed within the said container even if subjected whilst in the said container to the body heat of the person carrying the container, for example in his pocket but may be applied to. the teeth by drawing the brush of the toothbrush over the dentifrice and then applying to the teeth the dentifrice carried by the toothbrush.

Viewed from another aspect the invention provides a thixotropic dentifrice comprising one or more abrasive and polishing constituents, an anionic detergent, an antacid consisting of or including aluminum hydroxide, and a viscous vehicle for the dispersion and suspension of the abrasive and polishing constituent or constituents, such viscous vehicle comprising in combination a gel former or modifier and a gel dispersant.

The said dentifrice has any suitable composition but conveniently and in order to provide a viscous paste when required, the composition may include glycerine and/or alginates, and/or other suitable constituents.

Very conveniently the said dentifrice incorporates polyethylenglycol and/or propyleneglycol.

According to a still further feature of the invention, the said container may be so constructed as to be adapted releasably to receive a dentifrice so that, when the supply of dentifrice has been exhausted, a further supply may be introduced into the container. if desired, the dentifrice may be provided in a collapsible tube or the like.

Very conveniently, however, the said dentifrice is provided in a dispensable cartridge or palette adapted to be releasably held within the said receptacle, the arrangement being such that, when the dentifrice within the said cartridge is exhausted, the cartridge may be removed and a further supply or refill of another dispensable cartridge and dentifrice may be inserted in the receptacle.

Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a toilet article comprising a receptacle and a lid together forming a closed container, the said receptacle being adapted to receive a cartridge holding a dentifrice and also a toothbrush according to the invention which may be stowed in the container in its collapsed condition and when in use may be erected to a fulllength position, the said toothbrush forming a rigid construction at least in its full length or in-use position.

The said dispensable cartridge may, for example, be a friction fit within the said receptacle and/or one or more flanges may be provided for retaining the cartridge of dentifrice in position in the receptacle to prevent the accidental dislodgement of the cartridge and dentifrice therefrom.

If desired the said toilet article may include an internal cover or flap adapted to cover the dentifrice when the latter is not in use.

Very conveniently, the toilet article of the invention is of flat, box-like form comprising a shallow rectangular receptacle and a rectangular lid hinged to one edge of the receptacle, the said lid having a dependent flange along the free end portion thereof so that, when the container is closed the flanges of the lid overlap the sides of the said receptacle. Desirably, securing means are provided so as to retain the container in its closed condition. Thus, for example, the flange along that edge of the lid remote from the said hinge may be so shaped as to engage frictionally with the side of the receptacle which it overlaps.

If desired the container of the toilet article of the invention may incorporate additional means, for example, a mirror may be provided on the inside of the lid and pocket means or the like may be provided so that additional articles may be carried within the container.

Desirably the container is compact, that is it is of comparatively small overall dimensions, and is of light weight when containing the said dentifrice and toothbrush so that the toilet aricle is readily portable and may be carried with little inconvenience in a pocket, handbag or the like.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood, several embodiments of the cleaning article and toilet article will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing in its collapsed condition a toothbrush in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, and a container for housing the brush and a dentifrice;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing, separated, the hinge portions of the toothbrush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through a hinge portion of a toothbrush in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a similar view to that of FIG. 2 and showing the separated hinge portions of a toothbrush in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing, separated, the hinge portion of a toothbrush in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a vertical section through the assembled hinge portions of FIG. 5 and showing the arrangement when the toothbrush is in its in-use or collapsed condition; and

FIG. 7 is a similar view to that of FIG. 6 but showing the hinge arrangement when the toothbrush is being moved from its collapsed condition to the in-use condition.

In the first embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, a toothbrush generally indicated at 1 comprises two arms, the first arm 2 being of spatulated form and the enlarged end portion 3 of which carries bristles providing a brush 4, whilst the other arm 5 is of general rectangular section and provides a handle by which the brush may be manipulated. The two arms 2 and 5 are hinged together about a pivot pin in such a way that, when the two arms are co-extensive with each other in the in-use condition of the toothbrush, they form a rigid construction so that the brush may easily be used for cleaning the teeth, whilst the two arms may be folded towards each other about the pivot pin so that, as shown in FIG. 1, the two arms are in side by side relationship with respect to each other and the toothbrush is then in a stowed or collapsed position in which it may be carried within a receptacle as will be described hereinafter, the brush 4 of the toothbrush lying between the two arms 2 and 5 of the latter. I

That end portion of the first arm 2 remote from the brush 4 is formed with a double substantially circular connecting portion or enlargement comprising two disc-like hinge members 6 and 7 each of which has a central aperture 8 to receive a pivot pin (not shown), one face of the disc-like hinge portion 7 being provided with a symmetrically disposed hexagonal projection 9 of which one axis is longer than the other, and the corresponding face of the other said disc-like hinge member being provided with a corresponding hexagonal recess l0 and whose longer axis lies approximately at right angles to the longer axis of the hexagonal projection 9.

Two disc-like hinge members of the connecting portion of the other arm 5 are similarly provided with a hexagonal projection 11 and recess 12 respectively having their longer axes at right angles to each other.

The hinge members are held in position by means of two centrally apertured, round metal plates or discs 13 located in a dish-shaped recess 14 on each outer surface 15 of the hinge portion, a metal rivet passing through the aligned central apertures 8 and the ends of the rivet being turned over at 16 to hold the metal plates or discs in position.

The arrangement is such that, when the portions are assembled together as shown in FIG. 1, with the central apertures thereof in line, then the hexagonal projections lie within the adjacent hexagonal recesses only in two relative positions of the arms 4 and 5, nanely when the arms are in side-by-side relationship and the toothbrush is in a stowed or collapsed position and when the arms are hinged away from each other and are in line with each other so that the toothbrush is in its in-use condition, the inherent resilience of the metal plates or discs permit the arms to be hinged away and towards each other with the projections riding over the faces provided with the recesses until the projections fall into their respective recesses, the facing surfaces being biassed towards each other.

In the second embodiment (see FIG. 3), the construction is similar to that of FIG. 2 but only one pair of adjacent faces in the assembled condition is provided with a hexagonal projection 16 and recess 17 respectively, a resilient, for example, rubber, washer 18 being provided between the two central disc-like members 19 and 2t) and the natural resilience of the washer and the metal discs 21 trapped in place by the turned oven end portions 22 of the rivet 23 and spanning the dish-shaped recesses 24 enabling the two arms to be hinged away from each other with the hexagonal projection riding over the adjacent face of the disc-like member until the in-use position as shown is reached in which the projection lies within the recess.

If desired the dish-shaped recesses 24 may be omitted, compression of the washer providing sufficient resilience for the required purpose.

In a third embodiment (see FIG. 4) a toothbrush is of the same general appearance as that of FIG. 1 having arms 24 and 25.

That end portion of the first arms 25 remote from the brush is formed with a substantially circular connecting portion or enlargement 27 which has a central aperture 28 to receive a pivot pin, one surface 29 of the enlargement 27 being dished to receive as a snap fit a disc-like retaining member 30 carrying one or a first part 31 of a two-part pivot pin, the the first part 31 of the pivot pin being in the form of a central, circular section, tubular spindle adapted to be inserted through the aperture 28 of the enlargement. The enlargement 27 is displaced displaced slightly downwardly from the arm and a shoulder 32 is provided between the latter and the enlargement for a purpose which will become apparent hereinafter.

The inner end portion of the second arm 26 is provided with similar connecting means, the end of the second arm carrying a substantially circular enlargement 33 which is centrally apertured at 34 and one surface 35 of which is dished to receive as a snap fit a second disc-lil e retaining member 36 carrying the second part 37 of the said two-part pivot pin, the said second part being in the form ofa spindle 38 adapted to engage in the tubular spindle 31. The enlargement of the second arm is also displaced slightly downwardly with re spect to the latter and a shoulder 32 is provided between the end of the arm and the enlargement. The two enlargements are assembled with their planar faces against each other and are secured together by means of the said disc-like retaining members 30 and 36 which are bridged by the said two-part pivot pin passing through the registered apertures in the enlargements.

The arms 25 and 26 and disc-like retaining members 36 and 36 with the parts 31 and 37 of the pivot pin carried thereby are all formed of plastics material conveniently by moulding.

The planar face of the enlargement 27 of the arm 25 incorporates radial projections 38 and the planar face of the enlargement 33 of the arm 26 has a corresponding radial recess or groove 39 in which the projections of the enlargement of the first arm are adapted to cooperate.

Thus when the toothbrush is in its full length or in-use position, the two arms 25 and 26 are co-extensive and the projections 38 of the enlargement 27 of the arm 25 lie within the corresponding grooves 39 of the enlargement 33 of the second arm 26, the shoulders 32 between the respective arms and enlargements abutting each other so that a rigid construction is provided. Similar shouldars are provided in the above described first and second embodiments. in each case the brush part of the first arm is so disposed that, when the toothbrush is being used, the two shoulders tend to be forced towards each other.

When it is desired to collapse the toothbrush of the third embodiment so that it may be stowed away, the two arms 25 and 26 of the toothbrush are moved towards each other about the pivot pin, initial pressure being used so that the radial projections 38 of the en largernent 27 of the first arm 25 are forced out of the radial grooves 39 of the enlargement 33 of the second arm 26. The projections then ride over the planar face of the enlargement of the second arm causing the two enlargements to be separated from each other by a distance equivalent to the height of the projections, this separation being permitted by the natural resilience of the material of the discs 30, 36 and of the enlargements which cause the discs to become slightly outwardly concave, whilst still retaining the two arms together. In the fully stowed position, the two arms of the toothbrush are substantially superimposed one with respect to the other.

A fourth embodiment of the invention (see FIGS. 5, 6 and 7) comprises a toothbrush similar to the toothbrush of the first embodiment, but with a double hinge arrangement having projections and recesses similar to those described in relation to FIG. 4. Thus, in the fourth embodiment, whilst the arms are provided with substantially circular connecting portions each arm 40, 41 has two disclike hinge members 42, 43 and 44, 45 respectively provided with radial projections 46 and radial recesses 47 respectively.

A pivot pin is in the form of a rivet or tubular eyelet 48 passing through registered axial apertures or bores 49 in the connecting portions, an annular metal disc 50 being located in each of circular section depressions SI one in each of the outer surfaces of the connecting portions.

One end of the rivet or tubular eyelet is provided with a circumferential flange 52 which bears against the outer surface of one of metal discs50 whilst the other end portion of the tubular eyelet, after being threaded through the other of said metal discs is splayed out at 53 to trap that disc in position. Natural resilience of the metal discs permits movement of the arm of the toothbrush from the stowed to the in-use position and viceversa as described in relation to FIG. 4.

It will be appreciated that the shape of the toothbrush may be varied as desired. Thus, for example, the handle may be tapered towards the free end thereof, and the two arms may be so disposed that, in the in-use position, they lie in a curve with the brush part at an angle to the handle.

The toothbrush may form part of a toilet article according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, such toilet article comprising a box-like container generally indicated at 54 (see FIG. 1) adapted to receive the toothbrush and comprising a shallow, rectangular receptacle having a rectangular base 55 and an upstanding wall 56 along the four edges thereof. The toilet article also incorporates a lid 57 to form with the said receptacle a closed container, the lid also being rectangular. Thus the top 58 of the lid is rectangular and is hingedly secured at 59 along one of the longer edges of an upstanding wall of the receptacle, a downwardly dependent flange 60 being located along each of the free edges of the top of the lid so that the container may be closed by pivoting the lid about the hinge when the downwardly extending flanges of the lid will be superimposed on and cover the upstanding walls 56 of the receptacle. The flanges 60 along the side edges of the top 58 of the lid 57 taper towards the hinge of the latter.

Securing means are provided whereby the lid may be secured to the receptacle. Thus the downwardly extending flange of the lid remote from the hinge 59 is provided with a central catch 61 adapted to be a friction fit over a projection 62 provided centrally of the upstanding wall of the receptacle over which the flange of the lid is superimposed when the container is in its closed condition.

Conveniently the said container is made as a onepiece injection moulding from a suitable plastics material, the hinge 60 between the receptacle and lid comprising a strip of plastics material formed integrally with the receptacle and lid, which strip is thinner and thus more flexible than the rest of the container.

Within the receptacle is provided a dentifrice 63 in the form ofa viscous paste, the dentifrice being located in a rectangular dish-shaped cartridge 64 so as to be of a palette form, the cartridge extending across the receptacle for the full width thereof and being a snug fit therein. The length of the cartridge is less than the corresponding width of the receptacle so that a space is provided between that edge of the cartridge remote from the hinge between the lid and the receptacle and that upstanding wall of the receptacle lying parallel to that side wall to which it is hinged to provide a compartment 65 for receiving a toothbrush, the compartment being defined by two vertical ribs 65 located on the inner side walls of the receptacle.

The two side walls of the said receptacle may each have spaced just below the top thereofa groove extending parallel to the base of the receptacle and the sides of the cartridge are provided with corresponding projections or nibs so that the said cartridge containing the dentifrice may be inserted into the receptacle with the nibs engaging in the said grooves and with the front of the cartridge abutting the said two vertical ribs, thereby retaining the cartridge and dentifrice carried thereby from accidental dislodgement from the receptacle.

The base 55 of the receptacle is provided with a circular aperture (not shown) which lies centrally beneath the cartridge 64 when the latter is in position in the receptacle, the aperture providing means for inserting an implement to facilitate receiving the cartridge when the dentifrice has been expanded.

If desired that edge of the cartridge which is adjacent the hinge of the container may itself be provided with a hinged, flat cover or flap which normally lies over the top of the cartridge.

The following are Examples of dentifrice formulations in accordance with the invention which may be used, the figures being parts by weight:

EXAMPLE 1 Titanium dioxide 6 Calcium phosphate 14 Aluminum hydroxide 4 Polyethylencglycol 6000 10 Sodium carboxymcthylcellulose 3 Glycerol 28 Propyleneglycol -16 Water 10 Sodium lauryl sulphate 7 Sodium saccharin 0.1 Flavouring oils 1 Hexachlorophene 1 EXAMPLE 2 Titanium dioxide 6 Bentonite 4 Calcium phosphate 12 Aluminum hydroxide 4 Polyethyleneglycol 6000 10 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 3 Glycerol 28 Propyleneglycol l 4 Water 10 Sodium lauryl sulphate 7 Sodium saccharin 0.1 Flavouring oils 1 Hexachlorophene 1 EXAMPLE 3 Titanium dioxide 6 Benton'ite 4 Calcium phosphate 12 Aluminium hydroxide 4 Polyethyleneglycol 6000 10 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 3 Glycerol 28 Propyleneglycol 14 Water 10 Sodium lauryl sulphate 7 Calcium cyclamate 1 Sodium saccharin J 0.1 Flavouring oils 1 Hexachlorophene I EXAMPLE 4 Titanium dioxide 4 Bentonite 6 American Wyoming 32 Calcium phosphate 14 Aluminum hydroxide 4 Polyethyleneglycol 10 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 2 Glycerol 29 Propyleneglycol 14 Water 10 Sodium-lauryl sulphate 6 Sodium saccharin 0.1 Flavouring oils 1 EXAMPLE 5 Titanium dioxide 4 Bentonite 6 Calcium carbonate 14 Aluminium hydroxide 4 Polyethyleneglycol 6000 10 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 2 Glycerol 29 Propyleneglycol 14 Water 10 Sodium lauryl sulphate 6 Sodium saccharin 0.1

Flavouring oils 1 In preparing the said dentifrices the polyethyleneglycol, glycerol, propyleneglycol and sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose were mixed together and heated with constant stirring to 125: 5C, this temperature being maintained whilst stirring the mixture for 20 to 30 minutes and the heating then being stopped.

When the temperature had fallen to just below C there were added and stirred in the following ingredients in the order given namely, bentonite (when present), calcium phosphate or carbonate, titanium dioxide, water, aluminum hydroxide and sodium lauryl sulphate. The hexachlorophene, when present, was added at the same time as the sodium lauryl sulphate.

The mixture was stirred until the temperature dropped to about 40C at which time the calcium cyclamate (when present), the sodium saccharin and flavouring oils were added.

The mixture was then stirred or milled and was poured into moulds, about 4 to 6 hours being allowed for the dentifrice to set.

.Further Examples of dentifrices in accordance with The relative amounts of the ingredients of the dentithe invention are as follows, again the figures given frice will be selected to give, for example, a dentifrice being parts by weight: having the desired physical characteristics whilst pro- Exainples. 6 7 10 11 12 Titanium dioxide 4 4 4 4 4 i 2 Bentonito B. P 6 6 6 0 0 Calcium carbonate B. P. 16 18 22 21 22 26 32 Aluminium hydroxide B 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 Polyetliylencglycol 6000. 10 9 8 1O 10 10 6 Cotomacrogol 1000 B. P. 2 2 2 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 2 2 2 2 2 2 Laponite C. I. (Laporte synthetic heetorite) 2 2 Glycerol B. P 34 36 31 28 28 28 Propylene glycol B. P 6 8 8 8 10 Sorbitol syrup B. l. O 16 10 6 Water 2 3 5 5 5 5 Sodium lauryl sulphate B. I 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 Sodium saccharin B. P 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Flavouring oils .o 2 (F1) 3 (F2)2. 8 2. 8 2.8 2. 8 2. 8 Colour (sulphail blue) a 0. 0018 0. 0018 0. 0018 O. 0018 0.0018 0. 0018 iii ingredients of the dentifrice can be classified v viding a suitably concentrated dentifrice.

T'hiis 6 assent Eyesight of the "stream sodium under one or more of the following headings:-

' lauryl sulphate is used in some of the above Examples a. Abrasives & polishers b. Antacid with a view to obtaining a concentrated dentifrice. in c. Detergent as 25 the absence of bentonite the amount of titanium diox l. adjunct to cleaning action of abrasives and polid i ht ll b du d t 2 percent with a om leishers mentary increase of the calcium carbonate content. 2- emulsifier Or sfllubllsel' for flavouring Oils- Normally the detergent used will be a synthetic ionic d. Viscous vehicle for dispersion and suspension of detergent; i the Examples given, Sodium lauryl 1 abrasives and polishers, formed by the combination; phate ld f example, b l d b an lk lb of two types f ing ViZI f zene sulphonate. If desired however saponins/or soaps l. gel former or gel modifier and/0r chemically treated fattly acids could be used. 2. gel dispersant Laponite and sodium carboxymethylcellulose can be e. Flavourings, colouring and p gm j v I turned into gels by the use of glycerol, propylene glycol T315118 at random mp 171 the ingredientsior water, used alone or in combination with each other. there y be Classified as follows: The use of water alone is precluded by the requirement 1 to produce a solid which does not dry out when left (i-F560 9"? open to the air in a variety of relative humidites and ingredients Classification description Calcium carbonate a b temperatures. The omission of water is not feasible as gg hydroxide h i and Am hotcric both medical and commercial grades of glycerol and y p gel propylene glycol contain a small proportion (ca 1 per- (1(1) 2 A I 1 cent) of water. Removal of water is difficult and costly, Sulphme (l) and anhydrous material quickly absorb moisture when Sodium curhoxymethylv j exposed to air. Moreover, the gel properties of sodium f s (18 one d (Diem Amomc gel .carboxymethylcellulose and Laponite vary according a O [C syri thetic heftorite) 1 1 Anionic gel to the amount of water, hence the need to include sufficient water in the fomulation to make the product rela- Polyethylene glycol dtl) (z) l f i 3 t. l d d t f 1. ht t. th t 609D g n I V Surfactant i we y in epen en 0 5 1g varia ions n e wa er con- Cetomacrogol 1000 ((2) ;11( l i & Nonionio tent of the raw materials. The proportion of water actu- 2 1 i Glycerol d (2) viscous .ally used S a practical balance between the drying out humectzirit 0f the gels and the hygroscopic nature of glycerol. Pro- Propylene glycol d x f zf pylene glycol is not so hygroscopic as glycerol. and it water 1(2) 5 is possible that either one or the other could be omitted Titanium dioxide e Pigment by a reformulation. The use of both is an attempt to obl 9 6 tain an optimum viscosity while maintaining moisture Fluvourmg oils e Colour e balance.

Cetomacrogol lOOO, while having some of the proplt will be apparent that the Group classification e is erties of polyethylene glycol, is included where indinot functional and essential for the formulation but its cated in the formulation in an attempt to retard evapopresence affects the choice and quantity of the other ration of the relatively high percentage of flavouring groups. oils. Apart from its higher cost, Centomacrogol i000 With regard to the effect of the aluminum hydroxide has a lower melting range than polyethylene glycol this reacts with mouth acids producing aluminum cat-= 6000, and hence is not likely to replace it completely.

ions which are well known as a protein precipitant. i 6 1 Titanium dioxide has a slight polishing action, but is Hence there appears to be a slight but advantageous included in the formulation solely to increase the visual tanning or toughening on the gums after prolonged use. brilliance of the solid and the whiteness of the foam.

The toilet article of the invention is of such dimensions, for example the container may, for instance, be 9 cms X 6-7 cms X 1.5 cms, that it may easily be carried in a pocket, handbag or the like. A person may therefore carry the toilet article with him so that he may clean his teeth when he so wishes, the physical form and chemical composition of the dentifrice optionally being such that he may use it without requiring any extraneous water. The toothbrush may be stowed in the container with the dentifrice, and the whole forms a hygienic toilet article.

I claim: 1. A cleaning article comprising 1. two arms, each of the arms having a first end portion, 2. a cleaning pad carried by a second end portion of one of one of the arms, the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion of the one arm, and 3. pivot means interconnecting the first end portions of the arms for pivoting the arms towards and away from each other, between a collapsed and in-use position of the arms, the pivot means including a. a hinge member affixed to the first end portion of each of the arms, the hinge members having two outwardly facing surfaces and respective surfaces facing each other,

b. a recess in one of the facing surfaces and a projection on the other facing surface,

c. a pivot pin interconnecting the hinge members,

and

d. a pair of resilient discs interconnected by the pivot pin and engaging the outwardly facing surfaces of the hinge members whereby the facing hinge member surfaces are biassed towards each other, the resilience of the discs permitting the two arms to be pivoted away from each other from the collapsed into the in-use position, with the projection riding over the facing surface and then fitting into the recess.

2. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein the hinge members are resilient.

3. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein the recess and projection are of hexagonal shape.

4. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein the outwardly facing surfaces engaged by the resilient discs are dished to permit the discs to be inwardly flexed.

5. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein the pivot pin is a cylindrical eyelet.

6. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein two of said hinge members are affixed to each first end portion of the arms, the two hinge members affixed to one of the arms having the outwardly facing surfaces and the two hinge members affixed to the other one of the arms being disposed between the two hinge members affixed to the one arm.

7. The cleaning article of claim 1, further comprising a resilient washer biassing the facing surfaces towards each other.

8. A toothbrush comprising 1. two arms, each of the arms having a first end portion, 2. a brush carried by a second end portion of one of the arms, the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion of the one arm and the other arm servig as the toothbrush handle, and 3. pivot means interconnecting the first end portions of the arms for pivoting the arms towards and away from each other between a collapsed and in-use position of the arms, the pivot means including a. an enlargement affixed to the first position of each of the arms, each of the enlargements having an outwardly facing surface and an inner surface, the inner surfaces being planar and facing each other, each one of the outwardly facing surfaces being dished, and the enlargements having central apertures,

b. a recess in one of the facing surfaces and a projection on the other facing surface,

c. a pivot pin received in the central apertures for interconnecting the enlargements, and

d. a pair of resilient disc-like retaining members interconnected by the pivot pin and engaging the dished outwardly facing surfaces whereby the facing planar surfaces of the enlargements are biassed towards each other, the resilience of the retaining members permitting the two arms to be pivoted away from each other from the collapsed into the in-use position, with the projection riding over the facing planar surface and then fitting into the recess. 

1. A cleaning article comprising
 1. two arms, each of the arms having a first end portion,
 2. a cleaning pad carried by a second end portion of one of one of the arms, the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion of the one arm, and
 3. pivot means interconnecting the first end portions of the arms for pivoting the arms towards and away from each other, between a collapsed and in-use position of the arms, the pivot means including a. a hinge member affixed to the first end portion of each of the arms, the hinge members having two outwardly facing surfaces and respective surfaces facing each other, b. a recess in one of the facing surfaces and a projection on the other facing surface, c. a pivot pin interconnecting the hinge members, and d. a pair of resilient discs interconnected by the pivot pin and engaging the outwardly facing surfaces of the hinge members whereby the facing hinge member surfaces are biassed towards each other, the resilience of the discs permitting the two arms to be pivoted away from each other from the collapsed into the in-use position, with the projection riding over the facing surface and then fitting into the recess.
 2. a cleaning pad carried by a second end portion of one of one of the arms, the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion of the one arm, and
 2. a brush carried by a sEcond end portion of one of the arms, the second end portion being opposite to the first end portion of the one arm and the other arm servig as the toothbrush handle, and
 2. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein the hinge members are resilient.
 3. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein the recess and projection are of hexagonal shape.
 3. pivot means interconnecting the first end portions of the arms for pivoting the arms towards and away from each other between a collapsed and in-use position of the arms, the pivot means including a. an enlargement affixed to the first position of each of the arms, each of the enlargements having an outwardly facing surface and an inner surface, the inner surfaces being planar and facing each other, each one of the outwardly facing surfaces being dished, and the enlargements having central apertures, b. a recess in one of the facing surfaces and a projection on the other facing surface, c. a pivot pin received in the central apertures for interconnecting the enlargements, and d. a pair of resilient disc-like retaining members interconnected by the pivot pin and engaging the dished outwardly facing surfaces whereby the facing planar surfaces of the enlargements are biassed towards each other, the resilience of the retaining members permitting the two arms to be pivoted away from each other from the collapsed into the in-use position, with the projection riding over the facing planar surface and then fitting into the recess.
 3. pivot means interconnecting the first end portions of the arms for pivoting the arms towards and away from each other, between a collapsed and in-use position of the arms, the pivot means including a. a hinge member affixed to the first end portion of each of the arms, the hinge members having two outwardly facing surfaces and respective surfaces facing each other, b. a recess in one of the facing surfaces and a projection on the other facing surface, c. a pivot pin interconnecting the hinge members, and d. a pair of resilient discs interconnected by the pivot pin and engaging the outwardly facing surfaces of the hinge members whereby the facing hinge member surfaces are biassed towards each other, the resilience of the discs permitting the two arms to be pivoted away from each other from the collapsed into the in-use position, with the projection riding over the facing surface and then fitting into the recess.
 4. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein the outwardly facing surfaces engaged by the resilient discs are dished to permit the discs to be inwardly flexed.
 5. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein the pivot pin is a cylindrical eyelet.
 6. The cleaning article of claim 1, wherein two of said hinge members are affixed to each first end portion of the arms, the two hinge members affixed to one of the arms having the outwardly facing surfaces and the two hinge members affixed to the other one of the arms being disposed between the two hinge members affixed to the one arm.
 7. The cleaning article of claim 1, further comprising a resilient washer biassing the facing surfaces towards each other.
 8. A toothbrush comprising 